Strip feed mechanism



Dec. 29, 1964 R. E. MUNCY STRIP FEED MECHANISM 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 14, 1962 R. E. MUNCY 3,163,446 STRIP FEED MECHANISM Dec. 29, 1964 Filed Aug. 14, 1962 2 Sh&6tS-Sheet 2 JNVENTOR. IVA/ 1911 IYZ/IV Y United States Patent 3,163,446 STRIP FEED MECHANESM Randail E. Money, 4575 W. National Road, Springfield, (lino Filed Aug. 14, 1962, Ser. No. 216,912 1i Claims. (Cl. 28ll1) This invention relates to improvements in friction type strip feed mechanism rendering such mechanism simpler and more economical to fabricate, more eflicient and satisfactory in use and more adaptable to a wide variety of applications.

A preferred embodiment includes simple but novel means effecting strip alignment in conjunction with positive and precise, intermittent, strip feed. It features a friction drive 1 which so mounts to automatically compensate for variation in character and substance of its drive components as well as that of the materials on which they operate. The composition of "the drive unit is such that it may be readily applied to or removed from any type of equipment, facilitating both cleansing and servicing procedures.

A primary object of the invention is to provide strip feed mechanism which is economical to fabricate, more efficient and satisfactory in use, adaptable to a wide variety of applications and unlikely to malfunction.

Another object of the invention is to provide improvements in friction type strip feed mechanism.

A further object of the invention is to provide strip feed mechanism which includes simple but effective means for maintaining strip alignment during advance thereof.

An additional object of the invention is to provide strip feed mechanism which can be readily assembled or disassembled with reference to any housing structure.

Another object of the invention is to provide a friction type strip feed mechanism the elements of which automatically compensate for any and all variations in their form and size during use as well as the nature and substance of the strip materials to which they are applied.

A further object of the invention is to provide a simple and effective strip feed mechanism enabling novel units incorporating a writing platform and containing paper in strip form which may be positively and precise ly advanced, in intermittent fashion, to the writing platform for imprint thereon.

An additional object of the invention is to provide improvements in strip feed mechanism and devices embodying the same possessing the advantageous structural features, the inherent meritorious characteristics and the means and mode of operation herein described.

With the above and other incidental objects view as will more fully appear in thespecification, the invention intended to be protected by Letters Patent consists of the features of construction, the parts and combinations thereof, and the mode of operation as herein described or illustrated in the accompanying drawin s, or their equivalents.

Referring to the accompanying drawing wherein is shown one but obviously not necessarily the only form of embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 1 illustrates a device embodying a strip feed mechanism in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of the receptacle portion of the device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a detailed perspective view of the cover element for the receptacle of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view, parts being broken away for clarity of disclosure, illustrating the application of the invention feed mechanism to the cover of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the invention feed mechanism as incorporated in the illustrated embodiment.

Like parts are indicated by similar characters of reference throughout the several views.

The invention as illustrated is embodied in a housing including a receptacle 1 consisting of a rectangular base 2 and parallel sides 3 having the general form of right triangles and bridged at their vertically oriented edge portions by a wall section 4. The apex portions of the sides 3 are identically curved and project upwardly with reference to the section 4. The ends of the sides 3 remote from the wall section 4 project beyond the base 2 to have their extremities rounded and each provided with an identically positioned aperture 5.

An element 6 provides a closure for the receptacle 1. The cover 6 is formed to bridge the upper edges of the side walls 3 from the end of the base 2 at one extremity to the upper edge of the vertical wall section 4 at its other. Flanges 7 depend to either side. The flanges 7 are formed with projected ear portions 8 to one end adjacent the base 2 which overlap the projected portions of the sides 3 including the apertures 5. Hinge pins project from the ears 8 through the apertures 5 to be contained relative the recetpacle sides 3 and thereby provide a hinge of the cover 6.

The cover 6 is an inte ral plate structure which is slit and stamped to form spaced parallel bands 19 and 11 elevated relative an intermediate section and separated therefrom by slots to form a recording or writing platform 12 therebetween. The bands It and 11 are also elevated and respectively separated by slots from a hinge portion 13 to one end, and an exit or capping pontion 14- to the other. The indicated offset positioning of respective cover portions enables passage of strip paper over the cover portions 12, 13 and 14 and through the noted slots to be contained relative the platform 12' by the bands 18 and 11.

The cover hinge portion 13 is arcuately formed at a projected extremity which curves inwardly of the receptacle, intermediate the sides 3 and in overlying md slightly spaced relation to the projected extremity of the base 2. At its edge adjacent the relatively separated band portion 11, the exit portion 14 of the cover includes a coextensive plate scoop 15 inclined inwardly and under the band 11 to a slight degree for purposes to be further described.

Fixed to the under surface of the band 11 by any suitable means is the base of a U-shaped bracket 15. Its perpendicular leg portions 17 project inwardly of the cover unit spaced from, generally parallel to and coextensive with its ange portions 7 to either side. The flange portions 7 immediately to either side of the legs 17 have generally triangular extensions 18 including slots 19 inwardly from their apex in a sense perpendicular to the cover unit and centered with reference to the legs 17. The latter have notches 29 aligned with slots 19. The slots 19 and notches 20 freely accommodate the nesting of a feed shaft 21 which transversely bridges the undersurfiace of the cover unit and projects relative the flange portions 7 to mount knurled control knobs 22 to either end. The shaft 21 mounts spaced parallel rubber rollers 23 intermediate of the leg portions 17 of the bracket 16. The respective forward and rear edges of the legs 17 include right angled bracket portions 24 and 25 oriented in a sense transverse of the cover and mutually directed inwardly relative its sides. The bracket portions 24 are oriented in line with the exit edge of the writing platform 12, spaced immediately therebelow and include in their edges most adjacent the writing platform V-shaped notches as, the inner apex portion of which is formed to provide a further recess. The directly opposite bracket portions 25 each have an aperture 28 therein generally in line with J the recess in the notches 26. Spring elements 3% are wrapped around the shaft 21 in coil form intermediately of each pair of brackets 24 and 25 to either end of the bracket 16 to have one end project through an aperture 28 in a bracket plate 25 and the other through the recess in the apex of a notch 26 in a bracket plate 24-. The projected extremities of these coil spring elements outwardly of the bracket plates 24 and 25 are bent over to prevent their inadvertent displacement therefrom. The springs 30 thereby provide a mount of the shaft 21 referenced to the bracket plates 24 and 25 and are formed to urge the shaft 21 and the rollers thereon in the direction of the band 11. In the process the springs 39, which maintain a relatively it is to be noted that the upper edges of the side portion 3 of the receptacle have inwardly directed notches 34 in advance of the roll of paper 33 to accommodate the nesting of the respective portions of the shaft 21 between resilient floating relation of the shaft 21 referenced to the bracket 16 urge the rollers constantly in the direction of the bridging portion of the bracket 16, to contact therewith in frictional engagement thereto.

A shaft element 21 bridges the sides 3 of the receptacle 1, connected thereto by screws 3?, to mount a roll of strip paper 33 in a position adjacent the receptacle Wall section 4. The paper from roll 33 is directed along the base 2 intermediate the side walls 3 of the receptacle 1 to move over and be guided by the curved hinge portion 13 of the cover to pass under the band ill from the hinge portion 13 to the writing platform 12, and from the writing platform under the band 11 and the bridging portion of bracket 16 which is fixed thereto to ride up and over the curved exit or upper portion 14 of the cover which caps the roll 33. As the paper moves beyond the writing platform 12, it passes between the inner side of the bridging portion of bracket 1'6 and the friction rolls on shaft 21 to be frictionally engaged thereby to the bracket 16. The spring mount of the shaft 21 provides a continuous urging of the shaft 21 and the rubber rollers to maintain the frictional engagement irrespective of variation in size and uniformity of the rollers or the character or thickness of the paper strip. It should be noted that the paper strip is caused to maintain a continuous alignment by the legs 17 of the bracket llfi between which it must pass in moving under the rollers and to the exit portion of the cover 6. The scoop 15 at the cover exit portion adjacent the band 11 projects inwardly to align adjacent the roller elements and thereby insures that a free end of the paper'strip will be directed upwardly and over the exit portion in any instance.

It may be seen that on rotating the control knobs 22 on the shaft 21 that a firm and positive as Well as precise advance of the? paper strip is effected with reference to the writing platform 12. The novel spring mount for the shaft 21 and the constant urge thereof in the direction of the strip material provides that the springs compensate for any and all variations in the rubber rollers, rewardless of concentricity, hardness, or change in the roller material due to climatic conditions. The character of the bracket 16 is such that it maintains optimum strip alignment due to the character and orientation of the leg portions 17. Feed of the paper strip "may be advanced in a very simple and positive fashion by turning the control knobs 22, whereupon a firm, precise and intermittent advance of the paper referenced to the writing platform may be effected. A feature of the invention is that regardless of any tolerance variation in manufacturing of the described apparatus or other variations such as mentioned, the tension and turning pressure established for feed of the paper strip will essentially remain the same due to the character and mount of the spring compensators 3i). i

A feature of the feed apparatus as described is that by simply lifting the one end of a spring 36 from a notch 26 in a bracket plate 24, the associated end-of the shaft 21 can be readily displaced and the opposite extremity of the spring 30 extracted from the bracket plate 25 in a manner believed obvious. .Thus the assembly and disassembly of the feed mechanism may be readily effected for cleaning, servicing, or replacement, as needs require.

the legs 17 of the bracket 1d and the dependent cover flange portions spaced to either side as the cover is closed over the receptacle 1 in a manner as evidenced in the accompanying drawings. I

While the invention has been illustrated with reference to a particular embodiment, such embodiment is not to be construed as limiting nor is the form or character of the example illustrated with reference to the feed unit thereof. It is to be kept in mind that'the friction type feed mechanism and assembly which is revealed herein may be applied in unlimited fashion to various types of strip materials and for various uses such as clearly within the capabilities of those versed in the strip feeding art.

From the above description it will be apparent that there is thus provided a device of the character described possessing the particular features of advantage before enumerated as desirable, but which obviously is susceptible of modification in its form, proportions, detail construction and arrangement of parts Without departing from the principle involved or sacrificing any of its advantages.

While in order to comply with the statute the invention has been described in language more or less specific as to structural features, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific features shown, but that the means and construction herein disclosed comprise but one of several modes of putting the invention into effect, and the invention is therefore claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the legitimate and valid scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention 1 claim:

1. Strip feed mechanism comprising, means defining a strip guide surface, a drive shaft having friction drive I means thereon, spring means connected with and mounting said shaft so as to resiliently hold said drive means in a predetermined relation to said strip guide surface and maintain a frictional engagement thereof to strip material passed therebetween.v

2. Strip feed mechanism comprising, means defining a strip guide surface, a drive shaft positioned adjacent said guide surface, means wrapped about and forming a resilient mount of said shaft connecting in a sense fore and aft of said guide surface and providing a load compensating bias of said shaft in the direction of said guide surface and roll means on said shaft urged thereby to maintain a predetermined orientation and a frictional relation thereof in reference to said guide surface whereby on rotation of said shaft to positively and precisely feed strip material over said guide surface.

3. Strip feed mechanism comprising, plate means defining a guide surface including arms projected generally perpendicular to the guide face thereof, said arms constituting alignment means for a strip passing over said guide surface, a shaft, means connected with and resilient- 1y mounting said shaft to saidarms and adjacent said guide surface and friction drive means on said shaft, said resilient mounting means providing a bias of said drive means through said shaft to frictionally engage the guide surface and strip material passed therebetween.

4. Strip feed mechanism comprising, means defining a strip guide surface including strip alignment means to either side, friction rollers, means mounting said friction rollers having drive means in connection therewith, spring means supporting said mounting means in connected relation to said means defining said strip guide surface and maintaining a bias of said rollers in constant frictional engagement with reference to said guide surface and in a sense fore and aft thereof in a manner to automatically compensate for lack of uniformity of said rollers and said means defining said guide surface in application to strip material passed therebetween.

Strip feed mechanism consisting of, means defining a strip guide surface, strip drive means, means connected with said guide surface affording a resilient fore and aft mount and bias of said drive means to engage a strip passed over said guide surface which automatically compensates for wear of said drive means, non-uniformity in said guide surface and variation in the character and substance of strip materials passed therebetween.

6. Strip feed mechanism consisting of means defining a strip guide surface including strip alignment means formed integral therewith, shaft means, friction drive means on said shaft means, means in connection with said strip alignment means mounting said shaft means in resilient self-adjusting relation to said means defining said guide surface to bias said drive means through said shaft means to frictionally engage said guide surface for positive and precise drive of strip material passed therebetween.

7. Strip feed mechanism including, a generally U- shaped bracket, the base thereof providing a strip guide face and the legs thereof providing strip alignment means, a shaft freely nested with reference to said legs and in bridging relation thereto, roller means fixed on said shaft, spring means coiled about said shaft and having respective extremities fore and aft thereof resiliently mounting to said legs and afiording a self-compensating bias'of said roller means to said guide face enabling a positive and precisely aligned advance of strip material moving over said guide face between said leg elements.

8. Strip feed mechanism as set forth in claim 7, characterized by said spring means having the respective extremities thereof releasably hooked to spaced portions of said leg elements.

9. In a recording unit or the like including a receptacle containing strip material capable of receiving imprint; cover means for said receptacle, said cover means having means thereon for guiding the strip material from said receptacle in adjacent relation thereto and feed means having a fore and aft spring connection to said cover means for bias thereof to engage and drive strip 6 material passed between said feed means and a portion of said guide means.

10. A memo unit including a receptacle containing a roll of strip material capable of receiving imprint, cover means for said receptacle including a writing platform, means for guiding the strip material from within the receptacle and over said platform, slots in said cover means fore and aft of said platform, portions of the cover means being relatively offset between said slots to provide a fore and aft containment of the'strip material as it moves over said writing platform, a generally U- shaped bracket the base of which is fixed to the under surface of one of said relatively offset portions of said cover beyond said writing platform to have the legs thereof depend within said receptacle and form strip alignment means for the strip material as it moves from said Writing platform, a shaft, said legs freely nesting said shaft in bridging relation thereto, roller means on said shaft, spring means coiled about said shaft adjacent the respective leg portions of said U-shaped bracket, means on the dependent leg portions of said U-shaped bracket positioned in fore and aft relation to said spring means and having the respective extremities of said spring means anchored thereto whereby to establish a floating resilient fore and aft mount of said shaft and the roller means thereon and a predetermined bias of said shaft and said roller means to the base of said bracket producing a selfcompensating bias of said roller means to the base of said bracket and enabling a positive and precisely aligned advance thereby of strip material which moves over the base of said bracket and between the dependent leg portions.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,478,287 Laschenski Aug. 9, 1949 2,980,444 Radzyner Apr. 18, 1961 FOREIGN PATENTS 538,427 Italy Ian. 25, 1956 

1. STRIP FEED MECHANISM COMPRISING, MEANS DEFINING A STRIP GUIDE SURFACE, A DRIVE SHAFT HAVING FRICTION DRIVE MEANS THEREON, SPRING MEANS CONNECTED WITH AND MOUNTING SAID SHAFT SO AS TO RESILIENTLY HOLD SAID DRIVE MEANS IN A PREDETERMINED RELATION TO SAID STRIP GUIDE SURFACE AND MAINTAIN A FRICTIONAL ENGAGEMENT THEREOF TO STRIP MATERIAL PASSED THEREBETWEEN. 